Want my "9 Steps to Reach Fluency Faster" playbook? (Let's learn together!). If you find yourself sitting at a dinner table with 12 other people, then consider yourself unlucky. Thats why, if youre taking a trip to Italy and dont want to be cursed by the malocchio (evil eye), there are a few common Italian superstitions that you need to know or at least be aware of! Its also bad luck to cross arms with anyone as you clink glasses. 4. It is unclear where this superstition originated, but I suspect that a person used someones favorite knife to stir their drink, resulting in the knifes owner taking exception to this and challenging the offender! If someone does give you a knife as a wedding gift, you are supposed to give the gift-giver a penny in return so it is considered a "purchase." 7. There are two origins of this superstition. Older Post Before you take the first sip after the toast, dont forget to tap the bottom of your glass on the table! #9: Some knife owners also believe that you should never close a knife (either folding it in or putting it back in its sheath) if someone else has opened it because it is bad luck. The knife, a Finnish fixed blade outdoor knife called a puukko, is given to trusted employers or contacts and always presented with the handle first to signify trust and friendly intentions. If the knife is given to a friend, money must be exchanged as well. guaranteed, We use knives to prepare food, eat, hunt, defend ourselves, or even as an everyday tool that we carry with us. My approach is different from traditional methods because I teach you the most important 20% of the language right from the beginning so you can start to speak straight away. As a matter of fact, the left side has always been associated with the devil. They feel it is a very unlucky number although I really couldnt figure out why. Superstitions about knives come from an age where a lack of understanding required an explanation for unexplainable events. Today, this superstition is often interpreted to mean that giving knives as wedding gifts will cause the newlyweds to quarrel. #19: In some parts of America, people believe that sharpening any blade after the sun goes down is bad luck. Our modern, enlightened age has largely dismissed past superstitions, but it is interesting to read these concepts and understand the role knives have played in our history and culture. But the 17th can 'va' a cagare or vaccaga' [excuse my rudeness ;-)] As mentioned before, today's date is just another day in Italy and is associated with the goddess of fertility. In Italy, however, you should say Tocca ferro! and touch some iron instead! Thank you for your support of Survival Knife Experts! Poultry & Winged Fowl. Don't worry about reading a Top 13: in some countries, 13 is thought of as an unlucky number, but in Italy 13 is a lucky number. This means youll very rarely find the number 17 on Italian planes, streets, or in hotels, just to give a few examples. The first comes from ancient Rome, where umbrellas were used to protect against rain and sun. We promise to never spam you or sell your email address. 26 Knife Superstitions That May Surprise You: #1: Placing a knife under the bed of a woman giving birth is believed to ease her pain during labor. People get around this superstition by taping a penny to the blade (or in the box or card). After a long day of sightseeing you might be tempted to toss your hat onto your beddont! It is considered very bad luck to give someone a knife without exchanging money or the friendship will be cut by the knife . Many other cultures followed similar traditions and buried warriors with swords, knives, lances, and shields. This superstition is based on the religious fact that bread is considered a symbol of life, therefore, its bad luck to turn the bread up-side-down or stick a knife into it. Let me know using thecomments section below or join me on social media to start a conversation. Thats why nowadays the act of spilling oil is considered to bring bad luck. You are said to be "matiasmenos" (the evil eye has been cast upon you) if you are dizzy or have a headache and yawn a lot. (Free PDF Download). This superstition is similar to gifting a knife to a friend, but in this case, the superstition is that the knife will sever the love between the couple.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[580,400],'sharpyknives_com-netboard-1','ezslot_17',135,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sharpyknives_com-netboard-1-0'); Many people take this superstition further and will not give a knife as a wedding gift to avoid it becoming a problem for the couples relationship. If someone brushes over your feet by accident, then youre destined to be single for the rest of your life. It's especially bad luck to give a knife as a wedding gift because, according to folklore, it could cut the marriage ties. A man hoping to get the gift of the gab Photo: iStockphoto. The thread can be held by the woman herself, or by someone else. Past month. Your email address will not be published. Sweeping it all under the carpet. Instead of knocking on wood, tocca ferro or touch iron! These beliefs are not unique to a single culture or people group, indicating knives profound influence on a global scale. This probably dissuaded would-be thieves and people with malicious intent from breaking into the house. To become a full member of the Mafia or Cosa Nostra (both the original Sicilian Mafia or the Italian-American offshoot often known as the "American Mafia") - to become a "man of honor" or a "made man" - an aspiring member must take part in an initiation ritual or initiation ceremony.The ceremony involves significant ritual, oaths, blood, and an agreement is made to follow the rules of the . In Southern Italy, superstitions run rampant. bestens ! #2: Sticking a knife into a cradle's headboard is believed to protect the baby. Start learning here! Today a site visitor might be shocked at which superstitious notions are taken seriously and which are taken with a grain of salt, so to speak. This superstition is still very much alive today, even among theatre actors, who never bring a real mirror on stage to prevent it from breaking. It even comes with my famous Celebrate with a Spritz Guarantee. Every region seems to have their own version of the Evil Eye, but some take it more seriously than others. Some knife owners would never allow another person (with the exception of their SO) to touch their knives. I guess fishermen needed some excuse for coming home with no fish in the boat! We, however, think they are super cute! In the UK, Australia, or the US, after saying something that might attract bad luck, you would typically say Touch wood!. The ferro in the saying stands for ferro di cavallo (horseshoe) which in the past was believed to ward off the devil, witches, and evil spirits. Tuesday is believed to be dominated by Ares, the Greek god of war, who gives his name to Martes, or Tuesday, in Spanish. Malocchio or "Evil Eye," is one of the Italians' main superstitions. The importance of knives in day-to-day life meant that they became objects of superstition when things did not go according to plan and knives were involved. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'sharpyknives_com-portrait-1','ezslot_19',126,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sharpyknives_com-portrait-1-0');This superstition says that you will not catch any fish if you drop a knife while out fishing and the knife lands with the blade pointing to the land. This superstition comes from a time before electricity and artificial lighting. dino ciccarelli family; loa continuous mean; como conservar un ramo de flores naturales para siempre; haywood golf driving iron The logic of the time suggested that certain physical acts had the power to influence our lives, future, and good fortune. Making A Toast. This superstition actually dates back to the Vikings who believe that gifting a knife to someone implies that the receiver isnt able to buy himself a good enough knife to kill the giver so he has to be given the knife for free. 1. Just as with the story of numbers that bring bad luck (17 in Italy vs. 13 in other countries), Italians also like to differentiate themselves with regard to another kind of superstition! Instead, the knife should be put down on a table and the person on the receiving end should pick it up. Stirring a drink in a cup, soup in a bowl, or food cooking in a pot with a knife was considered a bad omen that was sure to bring bad luck upon the person brazen enough to perform this heinous act! Subscribe to my newsletter to receive detailed travel guides, exclusive travel and language learning tips, priority access to giveaways and more! I'm the 'guide' behind The Intrepid Guide, an Award-Winning site for travellers and language learners with thousands of readers, 1,000+ students, and a popular newsletter. According to Italian traditions, its customary to eat lentils after the clock strikes 12:00. 1. If youre single and you see someone sweeping the floor, make a run for it. It is considered unlucky as some associate this gesture with death. Planning a trip? This one is so silly but Italian really believes it. Throwing it on the floor or on the table was unlucky because you had to buy it again. In Spain its Tuesday the 13th you should be worried about! The charm, which resembles a chili pepper or a small horn, represents the horns of the Old European Moon Goddess and will bring you luck. #22: If you cross your knife with your spoon after eating, you are indicating that the food didn't taste good and that you're wishing the cook to have bad luck. Home General Info 15 Italian Superstitions You Need to Know. Perhaps the idea that she had something with which she could stab the man responsible for her condition gave the mother-to-be a distraction from the painful childbirth! You could be struck with all kinds of sicknesses, most of which include headaches, dizziness, nausea, and fatigue. A similar superstition is spilling salt on the table. In addition to learning Italian, familiarize yourself with these wives talesbefore your trip to avoid getting into any trouble. Wait until someone else crosses its path first! Perhaps not during Halloween but this is not true in Italy. IMPORTANT LEGAL INFORMATIONSharpyKnives.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. That stirs up trouble. The main reason for this superstition from Italy is that performing this act insulted the cross of Christ and would result in nothing going your way. The specific ways we do things, such as setting the table for guests or placing our eating utensils on the plate after a meal, have their roots in old-time superstitions. Check out the explanation of why to always use a cutting board in the article below:7 Crucial Reasons Why You Should Always Use A Cutting Board, 7 Crucial Reasons Why You Should Always Use A Cutting Board, All You Need to Know About Knife Tangs (Full or Partial?). The symbolism of the knife Knives have always been seen as powerful objects. Back to Ten delightfully irrational Italian superstitions More galleries IN PICTURES: Gina Lollobrigida, the Italian film star dubbed the 'world's most beautiful woman' IN PICTURES: The history of the Vespa According to folklore, a knife signifies a broken relationship and is bad luck to give as a wedding gift. #18: Another common superstition is that you should never put a combat knife back into its sheath if it hasn't drawn blood because it will fail you in battle. We share a vivid picture of life in Italy in our first-ever book. #2: Sticking a knife into a cradle's headboard is believed to protect the baby. The logic is that a knife can symbolize the severing of a relationship, so you shouldn't give it as a gift for events, especially weddings. Some of us grew up that it is a sign of good luck if a black cat crosses your path. So many times have Italian mothers (while cleaning the house) told their daughters: Pick up your feet, Im passing the broom, otherwise youll never get married!. A Loaf of Bread A loaf of bread must always be placed on a table, facing up according to Italian traditions. #5: One prevalent belief still held by people today is that gifting a knife to someone will cause the relationship between the giver and the recipient to be severed. The origins of this belief are unclear, but perhaps the knife under the mattress provided firmer support than the mattress alone, which helped ease the pain. TIP: Knife sharpening stones, or whetstones, come in such a wide variety that it can be challenging to choose the best stone to sharpen your knives. The superstition about giving a knife to a friend is that the relationship is doomed because the knife will sever the friendship.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'sharpyknives_com-mobile-leaderboard-1','ezslot_10',110,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sharpyknives_com-mobile-leaderboard-1-0'); This superstition probably arose after a lifelong friend gifted the other person with a knife, and shortly after, they had a quarrel which dissolved the friendship. To prevent this from happening, the recipient should give a "payment" to ensure that the relationship will not be cut. Another common superstition in the dark ages was that if you crossed your knife with any other piece of cutlery at the table, it was a sign that you were involved with witchcraft. Learn more about Italian birthday traditions here. One thing they seem to have in common is that the Evil Eye is caused by jealousy and envy. Why does giving somebody a knife bring bad luck? Like any group of fanatics, we knife lovers are not immune to superstitions, so, to embrace knife fanaticism, today I bring you 26 superstitions all about our most beloved subject: knives. Knives have been a part of human culture, survival, and religion for millennia, so unsurprisingly, many superstitions and beliefs have arisen over the years. Thrusting it into the door of a house is also believed to provide protection. This old Chinese belief is similar to the Greek superstition about sleeping with a knife under your pillow. We'd love to have you along for the ride! Includes English and Italian translations with pronuncation guide. Before your Italian vacation, familiarize . Whatever you do, try not to spill any salt or olive oil as it is considered very bad luck. If you are walking outside and a pigeon poops on your head, it is a sign of good luck in Italy. In this case, the superstition goes against knife safety, as an open knife lying around can be hazardous. The similarity of these beliefs from two distant parts of the world shows how different cultures placed the same value and significance on knives. According to tradition, the only way to stop the superstition in its tracks when a friend gifts you a knife is to give them something in return, usually a penny or other small denomination coin. Thrusting it into the door of a house is also believed to provide protection. Cultural Context: It is believed that passing a sharp item between two people will lead to a physical altercation or a friendship cut short. For more tips, visit my guide on Italian culture to learn 18 weird things that Italian do that no one warns you about. What was your superstition growing up that your mother or grandmother told you? SharpyKnives.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. (Romania) A dropped knife means a man will visit. As your guide, I walk you through each lesson, step-by-step, using my unique 80/20 method. Walking underneath a ladder meant breaking that sacred figure and attracting misfortune upon oneself. Check out the complete guide on buying a Swiss Army Knife in the article below:Buyers Guide: Why & Which Swiss Army Knife You Should Buyif(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'sharpyknives_com-leader-4','ezslot_8',115,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sharpyknives_com-leader-4-0'); An old Irish belief is that if you drop a knife in your home, you can expect a gentleman caller, but if you drop a fork, a lady visitor will be on your doorstep shortly. Learn the local language with her 80/20 method for less than the cost of eating at a tourist trap restaurant Start learning today! It is said that the more you eat the richer youll become, so eat up! In China the first coins were tiny knives, equal in value to one knife. During the sixth century, it was tradition to congratulate people who sneezed because people then believed that sneezing helped expel evil from their bodies. Even though in general thirteen isnt an unlucky number in Italy like it is in other countries, at an Italian dinner table its considered very bad luck. Some traditions call for using your blade as soon as you get it to draw some blood from your hand, bonding the knife to you. If the broken mirror is near the portrait of a living person, it means that person could die. The recipient can then return the penny as "payment" so that the knife is no longer considered a gift. While this may have been a belief in the past, thrusting a knife into a door of your home today might require you to have protection from your spouse! Thats just one example. Yes, the dreaded evil eye ( malocchio ), the fear of every Italian. I read somewhere that this superstition refers to the Last Supper as there were 13 people at the table; twelve Apostles and Jesus. The person who opened it must close it to avoid bad luck. 11. Most have their roots in ancient cultures who explained the world with stories and based belief systems on anecdotal evidence. Knives are considered bad luck to give as a wedding gift, since knives represent a broken relationship. Later in time, the term superstio was applied to the outlawed religious cults in the Roman Empire. #24: In China, it is believed that sleeping on a bed with knives under it will scare away evil spirits. Every culture has its own superstitions passed down from generation to generation. #7: Two knives crossed on a table will cause a quarrel. This superstition comes from the fact that as far back as the days of the Ancient Roman Empire, oil was considered a luxury so if you spilled some, it would be money wasted. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'sharpyknives_com-banner-1','ezslot_1',103,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sharpyknives_com-banner-1-0');We all take knives for granted in modern times. The division between good and bad days was already known in Ancient Rome, where a distinction was made between dies fasti, literally glorious or legit days (when justice could be administered) and dies nefasti, meaning ominous days. According to the Italian Superstitions website Italyville.com here are a few: Never lay a loaf of bread upside down. #23: To make sure that a pregnant woman will give birth to a boy, the husband needs to stick a knife into the mattress of her bed. This is how this superstition originated. These "habits" are very hard to lose, despite rationality and cartesian logic. This sign could be seen as the old-time equivalent of the modern sign stating, trespassers will be shot! It acted as a deterrent to inform would-be criminals that the homeowner has no problem defending his household with violence. Newer Post . Registrations are now open to join Intrepid Italian, my new series of online video courses that use my unique 80/20 method. I know what its like to start from scratch and to even go back to absolute basics and learn what a verb is! In Anglo-Saxon cultures, relatives or friends sometimes buried a knife with the dead so they would not reach the other side without protection. #4: Hundreds of years ago, people believed that placing a knife across another piece of cutlery was a sign of witchcraft. To ward off the evil eye Italians often use a gesture called le corna, horns (to do so, outstretch your pinkie and index fingers with your hand facing downwards to look like horns), or wear a lucky amulet shaped like a horn (u curnicell or cornetto). It's the look that one person gives to another if they are jealous or envious. Superstition in Italy says if you are single you should not sit at the corner of a table in Italy because it means you will not marry. (Eat!). Italians do not care for the number 17. You can find them by clickinghere(Amazon link). This is especially true for various clubs and organizations, privately or government held. This is just a sample of the many unique Italian traditions and superstitions. Thats because a knife given as a gift can symbolically cut the relationship. Also blood related: Never sheath a knife after battle if it has not tasted blood, as it will fail you the next time you need it. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. As knife lovers, we all have our beliefs, superstitions, and idiosyncrasies regarding knives. Friday the 13th va bene! This popular belief has a very ancient origin and has to do with the shape of an open ladder, the triangle. A hat on the bed is associated with eternal rest and death! Some of them include: jinxing gestures (like le corna the horns find out more about this in my guide to Italian gestures), carrying lucky charms and amulets like the cornetto, scratching genitalia, keeping red chilli peppers at your doorstep, and saying in bocca al lupo to wish someone good luck. If you are not feeling well and under the weather, you might be inclined to want to take a nice hot bath to soothe your aches and pains. The roots of the Italian superstition of malocchio (Evil Eye) are in envy, and its symptoms can include headache, excessive yawning, and a general malaise. personalized lessons. The giver of a knife, according to many traditions and superstitions, should only offer a knife with a penny attached, which the recipient promptly gives back to the giver as a "payment" for the knife, thereby preserving their relationship (and fingers). Old or broken kitchen knives can potentially cause injury if not disposed of correctly. This superstition has its roots in religion and comes from the Last Supper, when Jesus traitor, Judas Iscariot, was the 13th and final person to be seated. Black cats are thought to be a sign of bad luck. To avoid the end of a friendship, the recipient needs to hand over a penny to the benefactor. For example, never raise a glass thats full of water and dont cross arms with the person next to you when you clink glasses. TIP: A Swiss Army Knife is an iconic pocket knife and one of the predecessors to the modern pocket multitool. What about you? Its common for people moving into a new home-especially newlywedsto rid evil spirits and bless their home by performing certain rituals, such as sprinkling salt in the corners of all the rooms. (Lets have a look at them!). The evil eye is bad energy usually brought upon by jealousy or envy from another person. Never place a hat on a bed - not only is it associated with bad luck, but also death. For example, if you slept in a bed with knives beneath it and evil spirits never attacked you, then of course the knives offered protection from evil spirits. The quintessential Italian American superstition: the Evil Eye (Malocchio) The Evil Eye, or Malocchio, is one of the most ancient and widesrpead superstitions of the whole Mediterranean basin, so no wonder it also became a well known Italian American superstition.. Every culture seems to have their own version of the Evil Eye and their own ways to fight it. 2) Ease Labor Pains During Childbirth Which of these superstitions surprised you the most? Others are told to bring good luck, such as the four leaf clover or the number 7. Knives were also part of a mans weaponry used in battle or defense of himself or his family. The source of this curse is said to be envy, directed at youeither intentionally or unintentionallyby a friend, co-worker, or archenemy. #6: Never stir anything using your knife (like soup or coffee) because that would bring bad luck. Fortunately, modern lighting means that you can safely sharpen a knife at night without the risk of ruining your luck! This means that if you choose to purchase one of these knives or other productson Amazon, Amazon will pay us a small commission at no extra cost to you. Or that in France its actually good luck to step in dog poop with your left foot? It doesn't matter if it's raining cats and dogs (piovendo a catinelle). If the handle points at anyone else, your future spouse will be dark-skinned. Your email address will not be published. The 14 Most Important Italian Superstitions 1. Review this list before traveling to Italy to make sure that your trip isnt cursed byMalocchio or the evil eye. Want to get married? The Evil Eye (Malocchio) The Evil Eye is one of the most ancient superstitions in Italy. So, a new teenager was supplied to each sailor each night, depending on which girls were in their fertile window at the time. You also wont see many Italian going outside with wet hair! Albert Einstein. When the sun goes down and daylight fades, it is difficult to see the fine edge of a knife clearly in the dim light of a lantern or candle. We are passionate sharpeners, Anton and John. There is no doubt that knives have played a pivotal role in our history and still have a prominent role in our future. An itching of the right eye means sadness. This superstition likely came from an era where personal safety was of great concern and required a weapon close at hand at all times to defend yourself. Its believed that black cats are a symbol of witchcraft and the devil. Lucky & Unlucky numbers. Corno Be on the lookout for this horn . That way, the recipient can give the coin to you and pay you for the knife. 3. What does it mean when they say in italian ari facce? If. The superstition remains so well known to this day that Masakage, the Japanese knife-maker, includes a five-yen coin in . The malocchio (evil eye) is the Italian superstition that even just a look, especially if caused by jealousy and envy, can bring harm to those it is aimed at. Download your free PDF guide with 125 Italian travel phrases. I sometimes wonder how human beings made it as far as we have! Unlike the number 13, the number 17 is considered bad luck. With a long heritage of custom designed hunting, fishing and tactical tool development we understand the importance of getting it right every time. Copyright 2023 Sharpy Knives - Passionate Sharpeners, Custom Knives: Should I Buy One? Check out these moving superstitions from around the world and try your luck. It is believed that uncrossing or straightening them immediately will prevent bad luck or a quarrel from happening. As a matter of fact, opening an umbrella indoors may bring financial bad luck: its a sign that you may soon no longer have a warm and cosy roof to live under, or you will be hit by some sort of tragedy such as losing your job or experiencing a natural calamity. In Italy, this is a sign of good luck will come your way. A superstition is defined as a notion or belief not based on science, knowledge, reason, or logic. This superstition relates to the Last Supper when 13 people when the 13th disciple betrayed Jesus. 4. I use my working knowledge of the English language to help you get into the Italian mindset so you can avoid the common pitfalls and errors English speakers make because I made them once too! if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'sharpyknives_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_4',107,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sharpyknives_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0');Many social superstitions regarding knives came about because of the general superstitious nature of humans in the early part of our history. Egyptian women pinch the bride on her wedding day for good luck. This idiomatic expression is as widespread as the most traditional Buona fortuna (good luck). Be careful though! So in addition to providing the recipient a chance to symbolically buy the blade with a coin, the coin provides good luck to cancel out the bad luck of the knife. A knife that falls and sticks into the floor means bad luck in the near future for the knife owner. Putting the bread upside down was disrespectful for the cross not the bread. How we got here is the subject of our second book, "When Your Heart Finds Its Home," now also available on Amazon. As Halloween has arrived, Carol King outlines what Italians do to ensure good luck - and ward off bad luck. According to tradition, when priestsvisited the dying to give them their last rights, theywould remove their hat and put it on the bed. TIP: Cutting boards are an essential accessory for kitchen knives, but many people have a love-hate relationship with cutting boards.